The NHL had a chance to send a message about the unacceptability of head-hunting hits such as the one Boston’s Johnny Boychuk delivered to Jonathan Toews in the second period of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, and in fact the league did send a message:

Big red noses all around for the laughably named Dept. of Player Safety Blah Blah Blah What A Crock. Call it the Dept. of Sidestepping Responsibility after the NHL refused to discipline Boychuk for the kind of dirty hit the league claims it wants to clean out.

Geez, the league wouldn't even hold a hearing. Boychuk targeted Toews’ head. Boychuk delivered a strike. Connect the dots, people.

Boychuk nearly decapitated Toews with fists and forearms to the side of Toews’ head. That’s the way trainers instruct boxers to deliver knockout punches.

No problem, said the NHL. No penalty, said the incompetent referees. No punishment, said Gary Bettman’s clown college.

I can’t believe league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan thinks Boychuk’s hit was a hockey play. Close up shop if he does. Boychuk’s hit was a gangland-style act worthy of a suspension.

Did I miss something here? That hit didn’t look suspendable to me. A little dirty, sure, but Towes was carrying the puck across the center in front of the goalie and turned his body away from the check, which hit him shoulder high.

It was hard, yes. I don’t even think it deserved a penalty though. Stop being a pansy ass, Steve.

It was a dirty hit and he targeted the head. But as anything goes in the playoffs (except if your name is Raffi Torres) than sure… let the Bruins get away with another one. Par for the course.

Someone will of course get seriously injured one day when this happens yet again… Could be Datsyuk or Crosby or some other marquee player we pay to watch and then Shannysham and co will have to wear it as a badge of shame.